Movie game



Patented Jan. 15, 1929.

UNITED VSTATES PATENT OFFICE. j

DONALD I. IBUCHANAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MOVIE GAME.

Application filed July 13,

This invention relates to a game and more particularly to that type of game wherein an cducation as well as amusement will be derived from playing it.

The usnal run of games involves the rcaching of a certain goal or point merely for the sole purpose of having one player deciarcd Victor over the contesting player. 'While this is an object of the present invention, it also has for its main object the enlargement of the mental faculties by schooling' the individual players in the art or science of story or play writing.

To this end the invontion is found to reside in a game and the method of playing the same, whereby a well developed story in narrative form may be evolved from the playing of the game to the am'usement and recreation of those interested. Also, the invention aims to impress and imprint upon the minds of the pla ers the essentials of narrative or story tec nique which will instruct them in contriving schemes and arranging plots in story writing.

The invention has for a further object to provide a plot-contriving game having general structural divisions of a story, each division having a plurality of otherwise unrelated descriptive natters whereby a player or players may be enabled to weave a story from a chance selection of any one of the descriptive matters from each and all of the divisions when collected in their` sequential order.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a game board with a plurality of columus corresponding in number to either the general 01' special structural clivisions of a plot, each column being divided into spaces or bloclrs individually containing several corresponding essential elements or data relating to the particular structural division, and which when combined with any `of the spaces or blocks of the component structural divisions will provide the essentials of a narrative and produce a well rounded story having the requisite technique.

The invention further resides in the provision and arrangement of a plurality of story-divisions each including a series of phrases, words or emblems to be selected by a chance device, or the like, for weaving a storyr the Character of which is indetermihate at the start of the game so that the playeifs interest will be held throughout every move or play of the game. It is also an 1927. Serial NO. 205,387.

object of this invention to provide hazards or obstacles to be encountered by chance and thereby enable one player to gain an `advantage over his opponent and permit him to first complete hisistory.

Aystill fnrther object of the invention is to provide a novel form of chance` device by which the plays of the game may be indicated at random.

In the drawings, i F i g. 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a detailediperspective of a simple form of game piece utilized in playing the game.

In proceeding in accordance with this invention I have utilized the technique of a story and divided it into a series of what might be termed structural divisions which will be found common to nearly all if not all of the stories or plays written. The number of structural divisions may be augmented if desired by other predetermined or special divisions special to the type or character of story written whether or not it be a play, plot or the like.`` In 'arryingthis idea forward, I have utilized the structnral divisions of a story, either general or special, as the main headings under which are grouped suitable emblems, words orphrasels characteristic'or descriptive of the particular title of the structural division but comprising the essentials of several stories or narratives. To avoid any hard orfast rule which might` detract from the'amusementor fun side of the game,I have provided a device by which, from a chance selection or a selection at random, the different emblems, Words or phrases so selected will produce sentences with correct syntax and the sentences will follow in sequential order for the formulation or weaving of a complete story. y The game may assume different forms but in its preferred embodiment, the structural divisions and their components constitute the playing surface of a game board. As shown in Fig. 1 this game board 1, Whichjis foldable for convenience, is provided with a transversely extending series of columns divided into rows of spaces or blocks 3 regsj tering with certain indicia in the Vertical, marginal columns 4. Each column 2 may be suitably indexed or designated by some Character, such as`the alphabetical notatons A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, and K`,`indicated in Fig. 1, and also provided with headings 5 appropriate tor the structural divisions of a story. The spaces or blocks 3, underlying each heading, contain data or words which are appropriate for that particular heading. Each space will contain an essential element tor a story corresponding to the heading, and the several spaces ot each column -'ill theretore contain a group ot such essential elements, ditlcring` individually but all bearing a like relation to the heading. A, referring to location, has in each block or space an essential element or words descriptive ot a place or location at which the indeterminate story begins; the second or B column contains the appropriate element or words relat-ing to the heading time and the third or C column contains names of boys who will take the part of the hero The nnmbers appearing in the marginal columns l indicate the order in which the players will proceed after the initial play, which initial play may be decided as desired or according` to the rules of the game.

Along one edge of the game board, preterably the upper edge, is provided a border or marginal space in which the rules and title of the game'may be displayed. For dctermining the moves or the plays of the ditterent Jlayers a game apparatus utilized by which the individual players will have their particular plays governed by chance. While any suitable chance device may be employed, it is pre'erable to utilize a spin device such .as indicated at 6 wherein the spin member may be pivotally secured directly to the game board within the marginal space 7 as indicated at 8. Ordinarily these spin devices embody an arrow, but in the present oinstance I have substituted a spin disc or Wheel having` a Sight opening 9 which presents to view one of a circular series of ordinals which are otherwise con-- cealed by the body of the disc (5. In forniing this sight opening the material struck from the disc is turned upwardly to provide a spur or abutment 10 which the player may use as a means to spin or rotate the disc, such as by snapping his finger thereagainst.

Any suitable game pieces may he provides, although tor purposes of illustration a simple disc 11 is provided. Each players discs will be colored or otherwise distinguishable from his opponents, and each player will have a number ot discs corresponding in number to the columns 2. Thus,

in the present showing each player will have eleven discs or men corresponding in nurnher to the eleven columns A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, and K.

In playing` the game, each player in turn will spin the disc or wheel (5 and whatever number the opening 9 displays, when it- For instance, the first columnV comes to rest, will indicate the space or block 8 of the first column in which he will place his game piece or man. rllhus, in Fig. 1, the number 2 is displayed through the sight opening 9 which indicates to that particular player that hc ;is to place one of his men 11 in column two spaccs down, or in row 2. In the present showing` each column is provided with 9 spaces and theretore the margi-.hal columns zl are provided with numbcrs l throuo'h ll which not. only tacilitate the positioni eli the men in the indicated spaces but also determine the order ot` the players :tor the next succecding play. Dcpending upon the rules ot the game, either the low or the high man in column l will then first procecd with his second spin, to be tollowcd by the other players in their order. Time, it it be decided that the low man will have the preterence on his next shot, then the player` who has his man in space l ot column A, or nearest such location, will be entitled to proceed i'irst on the second play. Then if the player' who first played on his second turn should have the ordinal 9 show up through the sight opening 9, and therehy cause his man to be placed in space 9 of column B, it will be observed that the order ot' play will be changed tor the next or third play. By reasons of the chance selection ot the spaces it is ohvious that the order o play will or may constantly change.

The rules may provide cert in hazard elements or obstaclcs, such as indicated at 12, for penalizing the player. lt a player should tall into a such a hazard space 12 he may, according to the rules, be required to start over again in column A, or lose one or more turns, or the like. Other rules may be provided in increase the aniusement side of: the game.

According` to the rules ot the game the first player who reachcs column li will hc called director and he will have the advantage over the other players who must also complete their plays. Such advantage may involve the acting by the loser ot the story which his game pieces evolvcs or produces. For instance, assiuiiil that the victor or director has removed his men 'from the board and that the loser7s game pieccs are arranged as indicated by the dotted showing ot the discs across the board in l, the director will then up hisl opponentls men in sequential order begining with column A and read the woven storyT or plot. In the example, the several elements of his opponents story will read as follows: In front of a theater---as the clock struck 19z- VVilliam--a succe' ul novelist-was nearlv killed by a car driven by-lmogcnc the oil:- phan daughter ot al rich banker. hlonths at'terwai'dfilhe heroino was. alaductcd and held tor ansom. lVhen the nero found the clue--a wild chase startedthrough the nearby hills and-thevillian and his gang,

Were finally captured after a desperate battle etc y i lWhile the game is exceedingly amusing and full of fun, it Will be observed that the individual players are having impressed upon their minds certain structural divisions of stories which `Will have their effect in training each player in the essentials of story or play writing and will enable him to analyze and follow the line of thought in books which he may read.

The body of the game board may be replaceable, With or Without the headinfl's, so that structural divisions of stories of c ifferent characters may be arranged to suit a particular occasion, and in which event the body may comprise What is termed a *filler to be detachably secured as by means of clips 13. These fillers may comprise sev- 'eral playing surfaces preferably embodied in the form of a book or a series of pages 14. Each playing surface may have the subj ect matter appropriate for a particular' line of stories; one surface comprising structural divisions relating to Western stories, another to mystery stories, etc; 01' one playing surface may relate to juvenile stories and anotherflto adult stories sothat the game Will be readily adaptable to the entire family and for parties both old and young.

To facilitate the description of this invention, the term story is used to include a plot, play, sentence or other narrative; the 'term structural divisions to include the essential or special elements or parts of a sentence or story; and the term elements to include the several parts under each heading or division.

I claim as my invention:

l. A game comprising a series of columns containing the corresponding structural divisions of the essential elements for several stories, each column being divided transversely into spaces for containing the individual elements, and means for selecting at random a space from each column for weaving a story from the selected elements, the selected elements forming in themselves a complete story.

2. A game board having a series of headings indicating the structural divisions of a story, a plurality of elements under each heading, each associable With any element under the next adj acent heading to Weave and Continue Without modification, a portion of a complete story, the several element-s under each heading being appropriate for the heading but unrelated to the Companion elements under the particular heading, the object of the game being to select at random an element from under each heading and group them to formulate a story therefrom.

3. A game comprising a board divided into columns of spaces, each column being` designated as a. structural division of a story, and each space of each column containing data appropriate for the particular columnar designation, and associable with the; data in any space of the next adjacent` column to form and complete a connected thought thcrewith, the data in any space bea-ring a definite narrative relation to the data in any space'in the next adjacent col-` umn. y i 4. A game comprising a board divided*` into columns of spaces, each column being f designated as a structural division of `a story, andieach space of each column con-``` taining data appropriate for the particular columnar designation, `means for selecting one space from each column at random to formulate a story, and means for temporarily marking the selected .spaces until the selection has been completed.

5. A story-plotting game comprising a; board divided into columns of essential elements for a story, each column being designated as a structural division of a story, the object of the game being to select by chance an element from each column and weave a story therefrom, certain of said columns containing hazard elements for penalizing any player' selecting any of the latter elements. i

6. A story-plotting game comprising a series of columns designated according to the structural division of a story, said columns being divided into spaces forming a i plurality of rows of spaces, each row intersecting each column and appropriately designated, each space containing data descriptive of the particular structural division, and a chance device having designatons corresponclino' to the row designations by which the several spaces of the game board may be chance-selected for formulating a story of indeterminate makeup at the start of the game, the selection of any one space from each and all of said columns producing in its entirety a complete story.

7 A lot-contriving game comprising a series o structural divisions, each containing a group of corresponding' but individually dissimilar essential elements, each element being associable, according to story technique, With elements of other structural divisions, to form in their entirety a complete story, said divisions being arranged in sequence, and a chance-selecting device for promiscuously making selections of the elements from the sequentially arranged divisions for forming a complete story of originally indeterminate Character.

8. A plot-contriving game comprsing a board having appropriately designated index parts, a removable filler constituting the` playing surface and having plot-structural divisions related to said index parts, said filler being replaceable by another` filler lnu whereby diferently characterzecl plots may be contrived to suit the players. i

9. A plot-eontriving game comprising a board having a plurality of hingeclly connectecl playing surfaees, only one of which is exposed at a time for playing, each playing surface contaning seqnentially arrangecl structural divisions indivclually embodying groups of essential elements to be selected by plays of the players, the elements of one playing surface relating to an entirely different type of story from the elements of another playing surface Whereby the players may determine the general type of an otherwise initially indeterminate story before play.

10. A plot-contriving game comprising a board having a plurality of hingeclly connected playing surfaces, only one of which is exposed at a timefor playing, each playing surface containing sequentially arrangecl struetural clivisions individually emboclying groups of essential elements to be selected by plays of the players,4 the elements of one playing surface relating to an entirely Clifferent type of story from the elements of another playing surface Whereby the players may determine the general type of an otherwise initially intleterminate story before play, ancl a clianceselecting clevice arranged on the board to enable the players making selections ofpthe elements at random.

DONALD I. BUOHANAN. 

